It's not too difficult to get students interested
in a class where they can design their own planes. That's what Mahopac High School Technology teacher Gary Luciano discovered when he started teaching three technology classes at the school this year, including one in Engineering. "The great thing about the class is students can be at all different levels in their knowledge, work at their own pace, and still design a plane," he said. This is especially helpful as the students are from mixed grades.

 

Students began researching designs for their model-sized glider planes before choosing one to work on. "First they drew up the plans, then they built a prototype, and this week we are working on building the actual planes," Luciano said.

 

"We are trying to see what style of plane flies better," said sophomore Jake Berkowits. "It's the hands-on aspect of this class that I really like."

 

Sophomore Alec D'Iorio likes the cumulative knowledge of engineering he's gaining in the Intro to Engineering class. "We started off with a kit, then built a prototype of our own, then we'll build the actual plane with a motor, so we're really always building on what we have learned."

 

Once students are finished with their planes, they will take them for a test fly on school grounds, Luciano said.

 

In addition to the Introduction to Engineering course, MHS is offering an Introduction to Technical Drawing and CAD class as well as a course titled Introduction to Electronics & Robotics this year.

 

The new classes are held in the old wood shop space, which was renovated over the summer and is now equipped with PCs, scanners, and a 3-D printer.